Maloney keen to get back to work

17 September 2009 – By Mark Doyle

Frank Maloney has expressed his desire to return to boxing as soon as he is medically cleared to do so – but the veteran promoter admitted that he may never fully recover from the death of his most recent protege, Darren Sutherland.

Irish Olympic hero Sutherland, who was just four fights into his professional career, took his own life at his London apartment on Monday afternoon.

Maloney found the body and was later taken to hospital, where he was treated for shock. It was then discovered that the 53-year-old Londoner had suffered a heart attack during John McDermott’s controversial points defeat to Tyson Fury last Friday.

Maloney was left enraged by the decision and immediately called upon the British Boxing Board of Control to launch an enquiry into the bout, which they subsequently agreed to.

Maloney is adamant that he will do everything in his power to ensure that justice is done regarding McDermott’s defeat but confessed to still being in shock over the loss of Sutherland.

“Doctors have told me that after some days of rest I will be fine and I cannot wait to return to work in the sport of boxing as soon as possible,” he said.

“I can guarantee I will be there at the headquarters of the British Boxing Board of Control on September 23.

“Boxing is my life. I have had plenty of highs in the sport and plenty of lows as well. But nothing will ever compare to shock and sorrow of finding Darren in his flat on Monday night.”